Sword Snow Stride Episode 11 Recap
> Sword Snow Stride Recap
Atop Mount Wudang, as Wang Chonglou transmitted the Dahuangting internal force to Xu Fengnian, Princess Suizhu observed from a distance, concluding that Wudang had pledged allegiance to North Liang. At her side, Hong Xixiang proposed they intervene to disrupt the transmission, which would critically injure Xu Fengnian. The princess agreed, but as they approached, they were stopped by Junior Brother Wang, who single-handedly held them back. Realizing the transmission was already complete, a frustrated Princess Suizhu decided to withdraw.
Unbeknownst to the princess, this was an elaborate ruse orchestrated by Wang Chonglou. Once she departed, Hong Xixiang and Junior Brother Wang, who had only pretended to be adversaries, confirmed the success of their deception. Wang Chonglou explained the strategy: by leveraging North Liang's power to deter Mount Longhu while securing support from the capital for Hong Xixiang, his succession as Wudang's master would be unassailable.
Wang Chonglou then entrusted the Shentu Sword to Hong Xixiang, tasking him with guarding Wudang until he became the best martial artist in the world. Despite his master's faith, Hong Xixiang expressed anxiety about this immense responsibility. Meanwhile, Xu Fengnian awakened, seemingly unharmed. Wang Chonglou was relieved, noting Xu Fengnian's compatibility with the Dahuangting energy and explaining that the amount he could retain depended on his own fortune.
Before Xu Fengnian's departure, Wang Chonglou urged him to remember the struggles of common people if he were to one day lead North Liang. As Princess Suizhu’s entourage journeyed back to the capital, Sun Diaosi met with Chu Lushan at a prearranged teahouse. Sun Diaosi relayed the princess's conclusions: she now believed Wudang had sided with North Liang and would warn Mount Longhu against provoking Xu Xiao.
Furthermore, convinced of Hong Xixiang's loyalty to the court, she intended to support his bid to become Wudang's new master. True to her suspicious nature, the princess had her guards investigate the teahouse. However, Chu Lushan had anticipated this, staffing the temporary establishment with North Liang loyalists. After the princess's retinue left, Chu Lushan ordered the teahouse dismantled and burned before heading to Mount Wudang.
Two months later, Chu Kuangnu, having fulfilled his promise to protect Xu Fengnian, bid him farewell and advised him to continue practicing his blade techniques. Shortly after, Chu Lushan's dramatic wailing announced his arrival to escort Xu Fengnian back to North Liang. Before leaving, Xu Fengnian asked Hong Xixiang when he would visit his sister, Xu Zhihu, in Jiangnan.
Hong Xixiang confessed his deep affection for her but vowed he would not descend the mountain until he became the best in the world, as his master wished. After Xu Fengnian's departure, Wang Chonglou reassured a worried Hong Xixiang, affirming his belief that he was destined to fulfill this goal. Upon returning to North Liang, Xu Fengnian was met outside the city by a troubled Hongshu and Qing Niao, who hinted at issues within the manor.
He rushed back to find his father, Xu Xiao, taking refuge outside their residence. Xu Xiao revealed that Xu Fengnian's formidable second sister, Xu Weixiong, had returned and was waiting for him, admitting he had set his son up to face her first. Xu Weixiong, the most talented prodigy from Shangyin Academy in decades and a stern figure in the family, coldly dismissed the intricately carved chess set Xu Fengnian offered as a gift.
She confronted him about his indifference to his duties and demanded he accept the responsibility of leading North Liang. Unsatisfied with his answers, she stormed off and found Jiang Ni, warning her never to harm Xu Fengnian again under threat of being sealed in a well. Unfazed, Jiang Ni defiantly took a large brush and inscribed "Jiang Ni swears to kill Xu Fengnian" in large characters on the ground. Ignoring this, Xu Weixiong left the manor.
At the city gate, she was stopped by Chen Zhibao, who advised her not to return to North Liang again without a significant reason. Hearing of this, Xu Xiao chose not to intervene. Later, Xu Fengnian, feeling sympathetic toward Jiang Ni, offered to pay her to read to him. He confessed his confusion as to why his sister, who despised aristocratic succession, was so insistent he take over North Liang, suspecting she had a hidden motive.
Jiang Ni, in turn, challenged his reluctance, arguing that his inaction rendered the sacrifices made for him meaningless. Her words struck a chord, and a visibly stirred Xu Fengnian abruptly left the room.
